Results 361-380 of 5,583 for speaker:Fiona O'Loughlin

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Oct 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to speak on this. I thank the Minister of State for joining us in the Seanad. I commend my colleague, Senator Malcolm Byrne, who has worked tirelessly in this area. He is very passionate about extending the franchise for the Seanad vote. Discussion on the need to reform the Seanad is not new. We could stack reports on Seanad reform a mile...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Oct 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We should acknowledge the fact that the British Prime Minister has gone-----

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) (Certificate of Life) Bill 2022: Second Stage (20 Oct 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I find it very hard to follow that contribution. I acknowledge Senator Seery Kearney's honesty and bravery in telling us her story. I acknowledge that Stephen's life mattered and welcome his parents, Caroline and Martin. I have no doubt that the death of a baby is one of the most devastating experiences any parent will face and, sadly, many families have such an experience every year. I...

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) (Certificate of Life) Bill 2022: Second Stage (20 Oct 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) (Certificate of Life) Bill 2022: Second Stage (20 Oct 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Supporting People with Disabilities to Live in Communities: Discussion (20 Oct 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It has been fascinating, heart-warming and inspirational to listen to the witnesses and learn about the work that can be done and how the lives of people with disabilities can be improved, although I appreciate we have a long way to go. It has been interesting to hear about the work of the Crann Centre and Genio. I must applaud Ms Jarvey for her incredible benevolence. I wish we had more...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Oct 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I wish to congratulate Ms Noeline Blackwell on an international award she received last night. PILnet is a global non-profit organisation that connects the legal profession around the world to ensure law works for all and Ms Blackwell has done incredible work in the area of domestic violence. She works on a national level but I often hear her on my local radio station, Kildare FM, KFM, so I...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Domestic Violence (18 Oct 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for affording me the opportunity to address the need for a domestic violence register in the country. I appreciate the Minister's taking the time to come to the Chamber to respond to this important Commencement matter. Saturday, 1 October should have been Jennifer Poole's 26th birthday. She was a lovely, vivacious young woman with two young children. Very...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Domestic Violence (18 Oct 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Any time we are discussing domestic violence, it is important to say to those listening that if they recognise these signs in regard to somebody else or themselves, there is help and support out there. The helpline number is 1800 341 900. I thank the Minister for her response. It is important and it is clear that this is a priority for the Minister and the Government given that the...

Seanad: Summer Programme: Statements (18 Oct 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for being in the House for this debate. This is not my first time speaking on the issue of summer provision and I have no doubt it will not be the last. It is really important to recognise progress when it happens. Education is hugely important to people on this side of the House. Senator Malcolm Byrne and I, as spokespersons on education, really value what...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Mental Health Supports in Schools and Tertiary Education: Discussion (18 Oct 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Chairman and all our guests for their presentations and commitment in this area. I thank the schools, school communities and boards of management around the country. I have no doubt this is a complex and far-reaching issue on which so much needs to be done. I know all involved are doing their best to try to grapple with where we are. There is no doubt that pupils are...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Oct 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Deputy Leader. I am delighted to welcome my mum. It is her first time in the Seanad. It is great to have her here for a short period. Last Saturday should have been Jennifer Poole's 26th birthday. She was a lovely, vivacious young woman with two children. Sadly, her life was taken from her in April last year. This should not have...

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am pleased to contribute on behalf of the women in the House. I have no doubt my colleague, Senator Chambers, will also speak. I wanted to speak on this matter for a number of reasons but mainly because I come from County Kildare, very close to The Curragh, which is obviously the heart of the Defence Forces. The Minister is very welcome. It is good to have the opportunity to have a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Sep 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I will address the first point that Senator Lombard raised regarding school transport. The Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, committed to doing her very best to ensure she got funding to address the school transport debacle particularly regarding those who previously had concessionary tickets. I am happy to confirm she received that extra funding. The Minister for Public Expenditure...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (27 Sep 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I appreciate that the Cathaoirleach has selected this important Commencement matter. I raised it last week on the Order of Business and the Cathaoirleach rightly pointed out that I should do so as part of a Commencement debate. Recently, during a constituency clinic in Newbridge, I met Olive Cross, who heads up a group called Therapists For Change. This is a group of 900 psychotherapists...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (27 Sep 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Minister of State for responding to my Commencement matter. I appreciate that she has outlined the progress made in terms of what the registration board must examine. However, I am concerned that no timeline was mentioned in the response she was given by the Department of Health. The reality is that while we await proper and appropriate accreditation, there is nothing to stop...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Transport Costs (27 Sep 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I could not believe more in the third Commencement matter. I raised it in the House last week and I am fully supportive of this. The Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, is very welcome.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (27 Sep 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. I listened to "Morning Ireland" this morning and, in the midst all of the talk about the budget and what was going to happen, I was appalled by one of the stories I heard.We have been listening to similar stories over the past while regarding recent reports of violence at local GAA matches. Four specific instances were mentioned...

Seanad: Budget 2023 (Public Expenditure and Reform): Statements (27 Sep 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber on this important day. I welcome my friends from Newbridge in the Visitors Gallery. As we know, a budget is more than just a series of numbers on a page; it is an embodiment of all our values. Budget 2023 is a very clear commitment to the Government's values and those of my party, Fianna Fáil, on whose behalf I am speaking. Those values...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Sep 2022)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I also add my voice in welcoming our distinguished visitors form Malta. I have had the opportunity to visit Malta on the area of inclusion in sport, the Special Olympics and the Paralympics. I know the Maltese have a very strong and proud tradition of excellent inclusion in their country. I also add my congratulations to judge Síofra O'Leary. She is not only the first Irish person to...